Wild weather lashes Byron Shire

Wild weather and a solid swell hit Byron Bay with tubes a plenty from Clarke's past the Boliers. Patrick Gorbunovs

On the first Monday of the NSW school holidays rain, wind and heavy surf have lashed the Byron coastal areas through out the day with surfers braving the big swells while holiday makers huddle indoors.

Strong winds, heavy rain and damaging surf look set to continue throughout the region until some time Tuesday or Wednesday with a Gale Warning also current for Byron coastal waters.

The State Emergency Service said the weather was caused by a low pressure trough with a low within it currently off the north coast of New South Wales.

Decent rain has already fallen and has continued across the region with heavier falls along the coastal fringe.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that dangerous surf conditions, hazardous for coastal activities such as swimming, surfing and rock fishing, are expected to continue throughout Tuesday.

The SES warns that very heavy rain may lead to localised flash flooding in some areas and causeways may become impassable.

Motorists are advised to take extreme care whilst travelling and never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
NSW SES advises people to:

• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony

• Move vehicles under cover or away from trees

• Keep clear of fallen power lines

• Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water

• Boating on floodwaters is extremely dangerous due to strong currents, hidden snags and rock

• Farmers and other landholders should keep a watch on their streams and be prepared to move pumps, equipment and livestock to higher ground.

• Residents & people camping near their ocean should regularly check for erosion or inundation by sea water.

For emergency assistance relating to storms and floods, call the NSW SES on 132 500.